Hey, It's Just Talk

ALEX MARVEZ ON THE DOLPHINS

January 20, 2002|ALEX MARVEZ ON THE DOLPHINS

In the spirit of this past week -- when speculation about ex-Dallas quarterback Troy Aikman emerging from retirement to join the Dolphins overshadowed the aftermath of a 20-3 first-round playoff loss to Baltimore -- here's the skinny on four other well-known NFL names being connected to the franchise by the rumor mill:

Ricky Williams: The ongoing gossip that the New Orleans running back may be dealt to the Dolphins could have legs if the Saints can clear enough room (about $5.5 million) to absorb the salary cap hit inherent in trading him before June 1. But whether the Dolphins would be willing to take the steps necessary to acquire the dreadlocked one isn't a given.

If reluctant to part with an established player, the Dolphins would have to send New Orleans a package of draft picks. While they would land one of the NFL's most bruising running backs, not being able to restock the roster with quality college players would dent Dolphins teams down the road.

The philosophy of Dolphins management has been to avoid sacrificing future seasons through a win-now-at-all-costs philosophy. Such an approach has helped the Dolphins become the NFL's only team to reach the playoffs for five consecutive years and stay at or above .500 for a league-high 86 consecutive weeks.

But for the first time in five years, the 2001 Dolphins failed to advance at least as far in the postseason as the team from the previous season. The window of opportunity for the team's best players -- notably Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas and Sam Madison -- isn't going to stay open forever.

At this point, a legitimate opportunity to add Williams -- should it become available -- could be too tempting to pass.

Norv Turner: The Dolphins should be pulling for Marty Schottenheimer to become the head coach in San Diego. Word has it that Turner probably wouldn't stay as the Chargers' offensive coordinator if Schottenheimer gets the job, clearing the way for him to opt out of his San Diego contract and join the Dolphins.

Cris Carter: Three weeks ago, CBSsportsline.com reported the Dolphins were one of five teams the Minnesota wide receiver was considering when becoming an unrestricted free agent March 1. Carter's interest stems from West Palm Beach being his offseason home.

While the 36-year-old Carter has at least one good season left in him, the Dolphins are already stocked at wide receiver with Chris Chambers, Oronde Gadsden, James McKnight and Dedric Ward. Plus, the Dolphins don't have extra cap room to spare when so many other positions need to get addressed.

Look for Carter to wind up with one of the four other teams he has targeted: Baltimore, Denver, New Orleans or St. Louis.

Edgerrin James: This is another case of a player who lives in South Florida that would love to play for the home team. But agent Leigh Steinberg believes nothing will come of it.

"The fact Edge lives in Miami just means every time he tells somebody that, `Gee, it would be nice to stay home and play,' it immediately turns it into, `Edge wants to come to Miami,'" Steinberg said. "I'm sure Peyton Manning says, `Wouldn't it be great to play for the Tennessee Titans or New Orleans.' It does not have anything to do with whether those players or teams are seriously contemplating it."